- Date Of Birth: September 23, 1946
- Date Of Death: January 30, 2021
- State: Texas
Mercedes Garcia
September 23, 1946 – January 30, 2021
Mercedes Garcia, age 74, of Harlingen, Texas, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021. She was born September 23, 1946 in Sebastian, Texas to Juan and Consuelo (Chelo) Guerrero.
In 1966, Mercedes married Guillermo “Willie” Garcia in Sebastian, Texas. She was a retired Special Education teacher at Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. Her years in education also included her Alma Mater of Lyford High School as a Special Education Teacher before returning and retiring at HCISD. During her years in education, she inspired and touched the lives of many students, parents, educators, and administrators with her passion for learning, teaching, humor, and guidance.
During her time with HCISD she also worked for the Harlingen CISD Parental involvement dropout Prevention Department as the Professional Community Liaison before her retirement. Mercedes was passionate about making a difference in the lives of the families she worked with. Her love of God, Life, and her family was the foundation of her work and its success. During this time, she touched the hearts of staff, parents, and students. She was an advocate of parental involvement and truly believed in how much good it did for children. She would help coordinate parent activities for the district and truly put her heart in the events. Mercedes would make sure district parents attended these events and loved to see them participate. She enjoyed attending Conferences at the local and state level. Mercedes was a true educator and made a difference and will be missed.
She dedicated numerous hours of volunteer work to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Harlingen, St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Sebastian, non-profit organizations, and local Democratic/Political support events. Ms. Garcia graduated from the University of Texas Pan American in 1985 and attended Lyford High School in Lyford, Texas class of 1965.
Mercedes also belonged to The Theta Omega Sorority from 1990 to 2000. Mercedes had the honor of being the president for this ladies organization. This organization was proud of providing college scholarships for Harlingen high school seniors and Harlingen south seniors each year. The annual Posada Dance during Christmas time was always an exciting time for everyone involved.
Mercedes was also proud to be a member of the Catholic Daughters.
Mercedes was also on the Harlingen Public Library Board. During her tenure on the library board, she was involved in the building and dedication of the current Harlingen Library in 1992.
Mercedes is preceded in death by her husband, Guillermo (Willie) Garcia; father, Juan Guerrero Sr.; and mother, Consuelo Benavides Guerrero.
She leaves to cherish her beautiful memory her daughter, Melissa (Missy) Rodriguez and her son, David Garcia; two grandchildren, Reva Leanna Rodriguez and Priscilla Rae Rodriguez; one great granddaughter, Hailey Marie Rodriguez; two brothers, Nicolas (Gloria) Guerrero and Juan (Sherry) Guerrero Jr.; and four sisters, Ernestina Guerrero, Victoria (Pete+) Alvarez, Gloria (Abel+) Cavazos, and Lucila (Roy) Salinas.
